Nugegoda rally, was it a show of numbers?

Compiled by Manjula Fernando, Ranil Wijayapala and Uditha Kumarasinghe

If it was a show of numbers that the SLFPs Mahinda Rajapaksa camp wanted to expose at the Nugegoda rally they sure succeeded on February 18. It was without a doubt a show of numbers that day.

The mammoth crowd seen at the Nugegoda rally, dismissed by some as crowds who had converged due to road closure.

Different estimates put the numbers at anything above 30,000. The rally was to muster support for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest as prime ministerial candidate at the forthcoming parliamentary election. However, organisers placed the number at half a million.

Streets in the vicinity of the Nugegoda, supermarket and the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air theatre were packed with the young, the old and the infirm- all carrying flags, and posters of the former President. The rousing cheers of the crowd reverberated in the air.

The rally organized by several UPFA strongmen was attended by a number of SLFP parliamentary leaders and grassroot level leaders, the rally practically threatened the SLFP or rather the UPFA to offer Mahinda Rajapaksa as their Prime Ministerial candidate in the upcoming election.

As ironical as it may sound, fellow SLFPers who did not make it to the rally were slammed left, right and centre.They were identified as corrupt politicians without whom Mahinda Rajapaksa would be better off.In a nutshell all speakers attempted to project the removal of Mahinda Rajapaksa not as an election defeat but as an extension of a larger conspiracy against the nation. They claimed the Government in office including the executive President was under the tight grip of Ranil Wickremasinghe.

Wimal Weerawansa

Nimal Siripala de Silva

Dinesh Gunawardena

Udaya Gammanpila

Vasudeva Nanayakkara

Harping on the claim that 'Maithri' was raised to the presidency by minority votes and that the majority Sinhala votes were still with 'Mahinda', they reiterated the true Prime Ministerial candidate should be the former President at the forthc. According to some observers the people had at least two reasons to come one was out of sympathy for the lost leader or out of curiosity to see what was going on. But essentially 5.8 million votes the former President received at the last presidential election and some SLFP stalwarts throwing their weight behind the rally need to be given due credit for having an effect to attract that crowd.

The rally was organised by Wimal Weerawansa leader of the National Freedom Front, Dinesh Gunawardena leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, Udaya Gammanpila leader of the Pivituru Hela Urumaya and Vasudeva Nanayakkara of Democratic Left Front.

Among the prominent personalities who attended were Ven.Bengamuwe Nalaka thera, Prof.Nalin de Silva, Gunadasa Amarasekera, Dayan Jayatilleke, Former Ministers Kumara Welgama, Geethanjana Gunawardena, T.B.Ekanayake, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Nimal Lansa, Manusha Nanayakkara, NFF Media speokesman Mohamad Muzzamil, Dilum Amunugama, Western Provincial Councilors Sisira Jayakody and Roger Seneviratne and Kelaniya PS Chairman Prasanna Ranaweera.

Udaya Gammanpila who was one of the main people behind the rally said, "The objective of the previous meeting held in Nugegoda was to convey the aspirations and feelings of grassroot level UPFA supporters to the leadership."

"We are now patiently waiting for the response of the UPFA leadership, we don't want to clash because we are not challenging anyone or any position."

He said they were not aspiring to grab the SLFP chair for Mahinda Rajapaksa but merely seeking a post which is currently vacant and which is rightfully his, since it is the sentiment expressed by every person who constituted the 5.8 million voters who voted for him on January 8.

Gammanpila said if the UPFA leadership fails to understand the sentiments of the public, further action will be required to convey their message more effectively.

"We will organize countrywide meetings, protest marches and sathyagrahas. We are prepared to do anything to make the dream of the grassroot level UPFA supporters a reality. "

Refuting the claim that only bankrupt politicians rallied round their camp since they had nowhere to turn to, the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader said, the people who claim so are those who returned to the UPFA after abandoning it several months ago.

"We are coalition partners of the UPFA. We have not been expelled from the party. There is no reason to expel us. We have always done our best for the betterment of the UPFA. Even this effort is to further strengthen the UPFA at the forthcoming parliamentary election.

Among those who harbour critical views of the Nugegoda rally was Leader of the Nava Sama Samaja Party, Dr. Wickremabahu Karunaratne.

He said the organisers of the rally had selected this venue, just behind the busy railway station and blocking the road to show the passing commuters that a huge crowd was attending the rally.

"Easily a number close to 50,000 people could be seen converging on the rally after d roads to Nugegoda were blocked during rush hour. People from seven directions were cornered into the main road in Nugegoda town. Even I can do this and attract 50,000 people in a few minutes after blocking roads", he said.Dr.Karunaratne said the intentions of the organisers were that by organising a rally of this nature, they have started a campaign to bring Mahinda Rajapaksa as the next UPFA Prime Ministerial candidate.'

But he said the people have rejected him in almost all parts of the country except in a few areas at the last election and he will not stand a chance to make a comeback.

He opined Wimal Weerawansa who is acting like Goebbels of Hitler and other bankrupt politicians from left parties are behind this rally adding, "Masses and the left parties are prepared to reject this fascist tendency among politicians."

Media Minister Gaynatha Karunatilleke refuting claims of a dictatorial UNP rule within the government said the Sri Lankan Parliament, today, had given a unique example of democracy. "We don't have a clear majority in parliament, but we are bringing in a people- friendly legislature which was once thought impossible, with the help of the opposition.

In future too, we hope to introduce new democratic strategies to the world.

He said the public response when we visited the villages was testimony that people were ready to join hands with this political transformation.

Responding to speakers who alleged that the current National Government was under the grip of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, Cabinet Spokesman and Helath Minister Rajitha Senaratne querried as to how this Government could be called a UNP Government.

"The President who is a SLFPer enjoys executive powers as of today. According to the present Constitution, executive powers were with the President."

He said even after the abolition of certain executive powers, the President will be a powerful figure and Head of the State. He will continue to be the Defence Minister.

He said those who never had the guts to utter a single word against the dictatorial behaviour of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were today making a big hue and cry to the new Government against him.

"Holding rallies will not decide the country's future. The Rajapaksas and their croniesle have enough money now. They will now use that money to entice people by doling out this money."

The Minister spoke of how they accumulated that illegal wealth and how they misused resources will soon be exposed.

"The people will have the opportunity to make an intelligent choice at the next election," he said.